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Transition to pinch-hitting smooth for Nats' Moore

Transition to pinch-hitting smooth for Nats' Moore

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Tyler Moore

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ATLANTA -- Tyler Moore will be in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Braves and left-hander Mike Minor, but it's hard to find much fault with how he's handled the transition from everyday player to pinch-hitter.

Moore has hit .286/.342/.543 as a substitute this season, compared to .276/.339/.524 as a starter, and he's slugging .560 as a pinch-hitter. Much of that success can be attributed to his short, simple swing, manager Davey Johnson said Saturday.

There aren't many moving parts in the rookie's mechanics. That gives him a quick path to the ball, more time to see pitches and a little more wiggle room if his timing isn't where it should be. Someone with a longer swing, that's completely dependent on timing wouldn't have that luxury.

"He's got a great stroke. He's got a great approach," Johnson said of Moore. "The one thing that he's learned to do, I think, in a really short time, which all the young guys have learned to do, is make adjustments to be successful. He was a little cautious early on, pinch-hitting and not having regular playing time.

"Your habits when you're playing regularly, you can take more pitches and do things, and he's made the adjustment knowing that he needs to be a little more aggressive early. He's done that really well instead of going up and taking pitches. For a really young guy coming off the bench, he's been outstanding."